DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 36,933
- 5,128
Within the past year I acquired one of the new Winchester Featherweights chambered in 30-06. I was able to do some work with it at the bench yesterday. I cannot say that it is a tack driver; but, then, it is still in the break-in period. It is a handsome rifle, with great character in the wood.
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The rifle shoots well, with a variety of loads giving one inch or so for groups. I was working up some loads with 165 grain ABs and RL17 yesterday, and with 150 grain Hornady SP and RL 17. All the groups were in the 1.25 to 1.5 inch range, which is promising. The velocities were very good, however. From a 22 inch barrel, the 150 grain bullets were giving almost 3000 fps, and the 165 grain bullets were giving 2840 +/- 19 fps with 1.25 inch groups. One big surprise was a load with 165 grain Hornady IB and IMR4831, however. The group was sub-MOA and velocity was over 2900 fps. I think this will bear further exploration. I intend to do some more work with RL17 and the 165 grain AB over the summer.
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The rifle shoots well, with a variety of loads giving one inch or so for groups. I was working up some loads with 165 grain ABs and RL17 yesterday, and with 150 grain Hornady SP and RL 17. All the groups were in the 1.25 to 1.5 inch range, which is promising. The velocities were very good, however. From a 22 inch barrel, the 150 grain bullets were giving almost 3000 fps, and the 165 grain bullets were giving 2840 +/- 19 fps with 1.25 inch groups. One big surprise was a load with 165 grain Hornady IB and IMR4831, however. The group was sub-MOA and velocity was over 2900 fps. I think this will bear further exploration. I intend to do some more work with RL17 and the 165 grain AB over the summer.
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